If you want to update your Asus Transformer Prime to Android 4.4 KitKat OS without waiting for the OTA to be released, then you need to try a custom ROM firmware. And since the mentioned OTA will be rolled out starting from February or March next year the best for you will be to install the CM11 software which will bring a custom version of Android 4.2.2 KK OS to your Transformer Prime TF201. If you want to do so, then I recommend you to use and follow the guidelines from below as the installation procedure of CM 11 can be risky and complex.

Good; but why to use CM11 and not another custom ROM based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS? Well, first of all, CM is one of the best Android update that can be installed on both mid range and high end devices. The platform is also coming with great features and capabilities that cannot be found on the default version of the Android system. These capabilities can then be used for improving the performances of your Android device as with CM11 installed you will be able bump the speeds of your Asus Transformer Prime, upgrade its battery life, update the web browsing experience and personalize the looks and the Android UI.

Anyway, it should be clear for you that CM 11 is not an official Android 4.4.2 KitKat update, so the firmware has nothing to do with Asus or with Google. This software has been developed by third party devs and we should thank them for the same. Unfortunately this variant of CM11 is still on development stage and according to those who have flashed the ROM on the Transformer Prime there are bugs and issues related to the camera (it isn’t working), GPS, some battery drain problems and other minor bugs. Don’t worry though as the devs are working as we speak in providing a stable CM11 OS for your Asus Transformer Prime.

The best is that you can test this ROM without worrying that you will obtain a buggy Android experience. You can make a Nandroid backup first for saving the current ROM and then you can install CM11 as if you will not like the custom Android 4.4.2 OS, you will be able to safely restore the present stable Android Jelly Bean firmware – we will talk about these aspects a little bit later.

Perfect, now you know almost everything about the CM 11 firmware that has been made available for your Asus Transformer Prime. If you want to flash the update on your tablet, then first you will have to complete the pre requisites from below. So, take care of the following list before doing anything else.

Unlock the bootloader of your tablet; do that because a custom ROM can be installed only on an unlocked Android device.

The mentioned operations aren’t official ones – you need to follow suitable step by step guides as if you somehow mess things up you can end up in bricking your handset.

Also, by completing the operations from above the warranty of your tablet will get void. The warranty can be restored though once you revoke the root access and relock the bootloader of your Asus Transformer Prime. For doing so you just have to downgrade to stock Android OS – of course then the CM 11 Android 4.4.2 firmware will be replaced.

Optional but recommended: do a full backup because a wipe will be required. You should backup the data which is saved on the internal storage memory of your device, including contacts list, text messages, personal info and accounts, market apps and so on.

Install a custom recovery image, I recommend you to use the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery, on your tablet. Don’t skip this step because CM11 can be installed on your Transformer Prime only by using CWM or TWRP recovery.

Then, use the recovery image for saving the current ROM – do the above indicated Nandroid backup.

Those were the prerequisites that must be applied if you want to safely update your Asus Transformer Prime to Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS via CM 11 custom ROM. Now, since this is a manual flashing operation, you will also need to use a computer and your tablet USB cable. Then, on the computer you will use you need to temporarily deactivate the antivirus, antimalware and any other security protection – the same can interfere with the update procedure. Also, on your tablet you need to go to “menu – settings – developer options” for enabling the USB debugging option. Finally, you need to charge your device in case you notice less than 60% power left.

Don’t forget that this tutorial is compatible only with the Asus Transformer Prime model number TH201. So don’t use the steps from below for installing CM11 Android 4.4.2 on a different smartphone or tablet as you can end up in bricking your Android based device.

Now select “install zip from SD card” followed by “choose zip from SD card”.

Pick the update file and flash the same.

Repeat the process and install Google apps package on your device.

In the end, go back on recovery mode menu and select “reboot system now”.

If your Transformer Prime will get stuck in a boot loop, reboot in recovery and select “wipe data factory reset” and “wipe cache partition”.

Also, if you want to restore the old ROM, go to recovery and select “backup / restore” and follow the on-screen prompts.

That was all for today; you have successfully installed Android 4.4.2 KitKat based CM11 custom ROM firmware on your Asus Transformer Prime. So test the new software and share your impressions with us; also stay close as further step by step guide will be developed for your Android tablet.

Hi,
you are refering to TH201 model above… is that a typo for TF201?
I followed your instructions but i am unable to flash the cm11 zip.
Twrp gives this error:
set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed
E:Error executing updater binary in zip …

I get the exact same error. It sounds like nobody on these sites has tried to install this ROM. As far as I know, what you need is a custom TWRP/CWM recovery build, as the ones on the sites are old and don’t support some features. Unfortunately, I don’t know where to get a newer build from.

Frank Hornung

Hi, please note my misplaced reply to your question above…
b.t.w you can also find newer cm11builds for the tf201 on the xda site

Frank Hornung

Hi Stavros,
Search in google for 2.7.0.0-Voyager2k_v1.2 for a TWRP 2.7 based recovery for the tf201.

stuart binning

Hi, I’ve unlocked and rooted my tf201 for ages now, got a nexus10 so don’t use it much now.
I was unable to flash a custom ROM, it would always hang and I had to reboot recovery.
Problem. My SD card slot is butchered so I’ve been trying to flash internal SD stored Roms.
Is it possible to store ROM on a USB flash drive? Can the tf201 boot from there?
Or is it possible doing it via adb side load?
I really want to get it up to running fast again!

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer
Cheers stuie

JCRules

With all the problems or potential problems and seemingly a lot of effort and time and expertise in doing this, would the author (or any other “expert/power user”) pls give a definitive advice to non-techies like me if it is still advisable to do this unofficial non-ASUS upgrade or just wait for the “official” OTA ASUS update? What is really gained by upgrading from the stock (now) 4.4 to 4.4.2? Would appreciate English pls not Techish. Thank you.

Mirek

I am running the Hairybean 2.31 rom on my tf201 prime. Do i need to change my TWRP AND bootloader 2.5 to install this CM11 rom? Which steps should I do?